Challenges of Going Green in Chicago

Sustainable cities combine modern technologies with admirable goals to protect the environment and provide public spaces for people to enjoy. What’s not to like? As it turns out, there are a few things.

The hype and money that come with these green initiatives tend to attract real estate investors hoping to get in on the “next big thing.” and land a profit. Then, a whole new crowd of wealthy residents follow. The result? Gentrification and higher prices, driving out locals and changing a city’s demographic makeup. This is exactly what Chicago has experienced over the last few years with its 606 trail.

Case studies of green gentrification

Few places demonstrate the process of green gentrification better than the iconic European city of Barcelona. It has made news headlines several times in recent years for its AirBnb invasion and tourism levels, which have made the city unaffordable for many Spaniards. But there’s a thread to all of this that many are unaware of: The role of green development.

A 2015 study of Barcelona examined the impact of municipal green spaces on equality and vulnerable neighborhoods in the area. It concluded that “green gentrification” had taken place in the parts of the city close to the new ecological parks. Meanwhile, the “poorer” neighborhoods became even poorer as other vulnerable residents were forced to move there.

Barcelona isn’t alone. This trend has been repeated across other European and North American cities (including Atlanta, Boston, and Copenhagen). Further research shows a link between green spaces created during the 90s and gentrification happening from 2000-201, partly due to increases in residential developments and higher GDPs resulting from the project. The effect isn’t immediate and takes a while to unfold, but over time, it’s undeniable.

However, it should be noted that there are still doubts about the exact effects and at what point a green policy risks gentrification. For instance, it’s unclear if something as simple as adding a bike lane or greenery to an area will have the same effect as highly publicized “green developments.”

Case of Chicago

But how does any of this affect Chicago?

In 2015, the city converted an elevated train crossing into the Bloomingdale Trail (also called the 606 Trail), which is now the world's second-longest greenway project of its kind, following Paris. It has become one of the most popular and iconic public spaces in the area, visited by tourists, walkers, and cultural events alike.

While a noble endeavor, it has also led to accusations of gentrification. The project attracted luxury real estate developments close by, which brought in wealthier residents, increased prices in the area, and displaced many locals. Property taxes also rose, which encouraged local businesses and people to sell — the buyers were often more real estate developers, making the problems worse.

Unfortunately, there were no strategies to ensure affordable housing planning before the 606 trail was built, and the local community didn’t have the opportunity to collaborate with planners. This is likely where Chicago went wrong — but the good news is that future developments are learning from where it went wrong, such as those in Pilsen and Little Village.